Reach for the Sky

The race to dominate the skyline continues apace as the tallest structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower) in Dubai is set to be eclipsed during the first half of 2013 by the 220 storey Sky City.  Built in Changsha, in the Hunan Province of China, it will top out at 838 metres, beating the Burj Khalifa by a mere 10 metres.  Peanuts!

However, the more interesting aspect of Sky City’s development is it’s method of construction.  Constructed by Broad Sustainable Building, 95% of Sky City’s fabric features prefabricated construction techniques which will allow the construction to progress at 5 storeys a day.  Developments in off site manufacturing techniques and materials development have meant that Sky City is able to boast impressive statistics for environmental, sustainability and health and safety measures.  The financial and programme savings achievable by construction the majority of a building of this size and height at ground level cannot be underestimated.  BSB are expecting to finish this building within 90 days, an astonishing achievement, which, if previous projects are any measure of potential, will be achieved.  The video link at the bottom shows the completion of a 30 storey hotel in 15 days.

The current mantra for development and construction is that the price and unavailability of land is pushing developers upwards, rather than outwards.  To meet this increasing trend, technical construction techniques require to develop ever faster to meet the demands and technical requirements.  The Chinese appear to be spearheading these developments at present, in July, Zhang Yue, Chief Executive Officer, Broad Sustainable Building, told a Reuters magazine that he plans build at a two-kilometre high, 636-floor tower.

This will be bad news for the Kingdom Holding Company, whose Chairman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal said in June 2012 that the 1,000-metre high tall Kingdom Tower in Jeddah will be completed by mid-2017.  That is not all, Avesta Group an Azerbaijan company, has advanced plans to build what at the time would be the tallest tower in the world, standing at 1,050 metres, surrounded by number of artificial islands and a Formula One racetrack. This project is likely to be completed between 2020 and 2025, but will it be eclipsed before it’s even built?.

View the BSB hotel development here:

http://bit.ly/Umanuu

James Alexander Consultants eMail us on innovation@jaltd.co.uk or see our contact page for our numbers.  We look forward to speaking with you.

Planning Review - All Change?

In March this year we posted on the new National Planning Policy Framework and the likely impact it would have on the process for new development in the UK.

The Department for Communities and Local Government issued their Impact Assessment yesterday, which at 79 pages is longer by a margin than the Framework document itself.  Amongst much else, the Impact Assessment contains some fascinating insight into the projected costs of the consolidation of the planning processes proposed in the NPPF and by whom these are to be borne!  Read the full document here:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2172846.pdf

Three months on and the jury is still out.  Lining up in one corner of the green field is the “pro development” lobby and, currently, they would appear to be reassured by the legislation, in that there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development.  In essence, if a proposed development is well located, with good public transport links and connection to the town center, is of a high quality design and the construction materials can be proven to be sustainable then all should bode well.

In the opposite corner are those who, let’s not say they are “anti development” but are most concerned for the future of our green and pleasant land and they too are feeling encouraged.  Leading the charge are Friends of the Earth and the National Trust who, with many others have heard the Government state that the green belt is sacrosanct and that the natural heritage of the nation needs to be defended for future generations.

So, peace and love abounds with both sides feeling satisfied that their concerns have been listened to and addressed, at least in part.  However, as the expression goes, “something’s got to give”.

I think we can look forward to the detail of applications that come under opposition fire being thrashed out in the courts of the land, over many hours and at much cost.  The much heralded, new and slimmed down, planning framework may be about to get a lot fatter as each challenge is mounted. 

Anyone for a Judicial Review?

Planning to Fail - Failing to Plan?:

In March this year we posted on the new National Planning Policy Framework and the likely impact it would have on the process for new development in the UK.

The Department for Communities and Local Government issued their Impact Assessment yesterday, which at 79 pages is longer by a margin than the Framework document itself.  Amongst much else, the Impact Assessment contains some fascinating insight into the projected costs of the consolidation of the planning processes proposed in the NPPF and by whom these are to be borne!  Read the full document here:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2172846.pdf

Three months on and the jury is still out.  Lining up in one corner of the green field is the “pro development” lobby and, currently, they would appear to be reassured by the legislation, in that there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development.  In essence, if a proposed development is well located, with good public transport links and connection to the town center, is of a high quality design and the construction materials can be proven to be sustainable then all should bode well.

In the opposite corner are those who, let’s not say they are “anti development” but are most concerned for the future of our green and pleasant land and they too are feeling encouraged.  Leading the charge are Friends of the Earth and the National Trust who, with many others have heard the Government state that the green belt is sacrosanct and that the natural heritage of the nation needs to be defended for future generations.

So, peace and love abounds with both sides feeling satisfied that their concerns have been listened to and addressed, at least in part.  However, as the expression goes, “something’s got to give”.

I think we can look forward to the detail of applications that come under opposition fire being thrashed out in the courts of the land, over many hours and at much cost.  The much heralded, new and slimmed down, planning framework may be about to get a lot fatter as each challenge is mounted. 

Anyone for a Judicial Review?

E is for...

Environmental:

This A to Z Challenge is not an easy task, still…..!

Fittingly, as a hose pipe ban is imposed across many areas in the south of the country today and dire warning for the summer (?!) of impending drought like conditions, it is reasonable that our thoughts might turn to the environmental aspects of the built estate.

There are now numerous regulatory instruments requiring high standards in building design and construction, affecting the environmental and sustainable credentials of a building’s performance.  From the insulting capabilities of external walls and cladding to the type of heating ventilation and air conditioning system performance, the operational aspects of running a building are at the very top of the agenda when designing a new building.

Much of the built commercial estate in the UK dates from times before concerns over the impact on the environment of buildings were uppermost in any architects’ minds.  Design and aesthetics were the watchwords, although I think these may have become forgotten during parts of the 1960’s and through much if the last century this was the way in which buildings were conceived and constructed, with little thought to their impact on the environment.

The green agenda is well and truly to the fore and the Government is keen to maintain its planet saving credential by pushing more and more stringent measures onto the commercial and domestic markets for development and also some aspects of refurbishment.  Of course, all of these measures come at a cost which is borne, ultimately by the consumer.  The drive to become “green” has seen a worldwide movement to monitor, measure and assess commercial building performance and standards in design and construction.  The UK has the Building Research Establishment’s BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) system in place and a rating system is applied by an inspection and monitoring process for new building design.

James Alexander Consultants are expert in assessing your portfolio and, with you, determining a strategy to develop the correct balance of assets, their relevance and performance for you.  We develop, plan and implement the strategy, leaving you to focus on core activity and opportunity.

eMail us on innovation@jaltd.co.uk or see our contact page for our numbers.  We look forward to speaking with you.

D Day for Planning

Today’s the day.  The new National Planning policy framework will be announced by Ministers at lunchtime.  Following a much criticised consultation process with developers, environmental groups and other during last year, the new framework will come into force immediately.

Opponents of the change are badging the reforms as a “developers’ charter” whilst the Government are confident that reforms will simplify the existing complex and confusing system and help boost growth. 

One of the key points of contention is the definition of what is meant by the phrase “sustainable development”.  Speaking on BBC Radio 4 this morning Planning Minister Greg Clark explained that sustainable development meant that  "If there are reasons, for example if it destroys the environment, if it builds on the green belt, if it builds outside a town centre if it's a commercial premises when you want to keep town centres thriving, then that would not be sustainable, it would not be in the public interest and so it should not go ahead."  The framework also indicates that the default answer for development proposals should be yes, and this is where the nub of the matter lies.

To date the planning process has proved to have been a rather inaccessible matter for most people to engage with.  Part of the objective of the new framework has been to simplify and make the process more accessible.  1,300 pages down to 50, quite a change. There is a perception that this slimming down of the “rules” will allow developers to ride roughshod over local wishes and turn swathes of the greenbelt into housing estates.  Government has given assurances that this is not the case.  However, vocal opponents including the National Trust, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and Friends of the Earth believe this is exactly what will happen and our green and pleasant land will be no more.

Currently 11% of the area of the UK is developed.  It will be an interesting watch to see what transpires from this new framework.